Avoiding Airline Fees and Expensive Tickets

September 10th, 2008

It is not surprising when many airlines have decided to hike up their ticket prices and impose new fees on their passengers in order to cope with the high cost of fuel. Although the new fees are certainly hard on the pocket, it does not mean that you really need to pay them. The key, of course, is to learn how you can get around them.

Avoiding Airline Fees and Expensive Tickets

Tickets
With ticket prices quite expensive these days, you will have a better chance of saving money by grabbing cheap airline tickets. There are actually a lot of cheap ticket offers in the market but you must be quick in booking them since they are available for a limited time only. Keep in mind that these discounted airfares come with restrictions and limitations and so, you should try to make your travel plans as flexible as possible.

Beverages
The days of free drinks are gone with most airlines charging their passengers for coffee, juice and even water. To get around this, you can bring an empty bottle with you and fill it up in the water fountain after you have checked in. There are also shops in the boarding area which sell bottled water at a cheaper price.

Luggage
Airlines such as US Airways, United and American have already started charging their passengers $15 for the first luggage checked in. If you do not want to pay such fees, make sure that your things will fit in a carry on bag. If this is not possible, there are still airlines like Delta and Continental which do not charge any fees on checked in luggage.

Unaccompanied Minors
Some airlines have also hiked up the fees they charge for unaccompanied minors. One of the solutions to avoid these surcharges is by flying with your kids. Or you could simply choose an airline which has not increased their fees.

Discounted Airfare Deals from Delta Airlines

September 9th, 2008

For those of you who are looking to save some money without having to sacrifice comfort and great service, you will be pleased with these discounted airfare offers from Delta Airlines. Great seats from their prime hub (Hartsfield-Jackson-Atlanta International Airport) are on sale until September 16.

Unlike other offers of cheap ticket deals, you do not need to purchase round trip tickets. there is also no minimum-stay restriction. You just have to make sure that your travel plans will allow you to fly out during Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Blackout dates include the following:

  • November 26, 29 and 30, 2008
  • December 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28, 2008
  • January 2, 3 and 4, 2009

All travels must be completed by January 28, 2009. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes, fees and other airline surcharges. You must book and buy these cheap airline tickets at least ten days before your planned travel date in order to avail of the discount.

Here are some of the sample discounted airfares, quoted for one-way travel, from the Atlanta hub to:

  • Boston ($109)
  • Charleston, South Carolina ($59)
  • Chicago ($94)
  • Dallas ($99)
  • Fort Lauderdale ($89)
  • Jacksonville ($74)
  • Los Angeles ($149)
  • Minneapolis ($99)
  • New York ($99)
  • Phoenix ($129)
  • Richmond ($74)
  • San Francisco ($149)
  • Washington ($84)

You will discover that there are no deals as great as these cheap ticket offers from Delta Airlines. For this reason, you should take advantage of them before the seats run out. Although the black out dates coincide with most of the holidays, the key is timing your travel just right. Even with the busy season around the corner and the expensive plane tickets that come with it, you will still be able to enjoy considerable savings.

How to Stretch Your Business Travel Budget

September 9th, 2008

It is not a secret that the airline industry is going through some tough times. With the increases in fuel costs, most airlines were forced to hike up their ticket prices as well as impose new fees in order to avoid incurring huge losses.

Before, airline passengers are treated to many freebies ranging from pillows to snacks. But with the cost-cutting programs that these airlines have launched, almost everything comes with a price tag. For these reasons, business travelers must look for more creative ways that will allow them to stick to their budget.

For instance, business travelers are learning to schedule their meetings on days when ticket prices are considerably cheaper such as Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. In addition, business trips should also be planned months in advance in order to avail of discounted airfares.

If you want to save on car rental and hotel expenses, you should try planning your meetings in the daytime. This means that you will have to leave very early in the morning and fly back late in the evening, after your meeting is over. If you need to freshen up before a meeting, you can choose to go to a gym where you will only need to pay $20 instead of booking a room.

When booking tickets, you should consider flights with connections since they can considerably lower ticket prices. It will also be wise to use the same airline for all your travels in order to earn VIP status and allow you to enjoy a few perks.

Since most airlines are imposing fees on checked in luggage by as much as $15, you should learn how to pack lightly. You can ask the airline regarding their luggage policies so you can make sure that you can fly without having to pay extra for your bags.

Tough times certainly call for smart measures. Consider these tips and you might be surprised with the money you will be able to save.

Tough Times for the Travel and Airline Industries

September 8th, 2008

If you walk into most municipal airports during average weekdays, you will find custodians, clerks and other airport employees going about their jobs. What you will not find are passengers. Considering that the airline and travel industries are currently going through one of the most difficult times in history due to the weak economy and expensive fuel, it is not surprising.

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The Search for Cheap Tickets

September 5th, 2008

Travelers are quite frustrated with the rising cost of fuel. Most airlines try to compensate by offering fewer and fewer deals that include cheap airplane tickets. But this does not mean that there aren’t any. You just have to be a bit more resourceful when it comes to looking for these discounted airfares.

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8 Tips for Traveling with Kids

September 4th, 2008

Taking your kids with you for a vacation is something that you will have to deal with sooner or later. If this is your first time to fly with them, it is only understandable that you might be feeling apprehensive. In order to make the flight a lot more enjoyable and comfortable, here are some travel tips that you should heed:

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Vacation Rentals 101

September 3rd, 2008

Seasoned travelers have long discovered the considerable savings that vacation rentals offer. Compared to hotels, they are certainly cheaper. Of course, you will also be able to save more by being able to prepare and cook your own meals. For big families, vacation rentals are certainly heaven sent.

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Cheap Airfare Deals: What You Need to Know

September 2nd, 2008

Travelers today have become smarter when it comes to cutting back on travel expenses. For instance, there is always the hunt for cheap airplane tickets in order to enjoy considerable savings. If you are interested in enjoying these discounted airfares as well, it would be best if you are aware of the restrictions and limitations that usually come with them before considering them a good deal.

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Is a “Staycation” Really Better?

September 2nd, 2008

This summer, more families have decided to address the problem of increasing fuel prices as well as travel costs by staying at home, or somewhere close to home, and enjoying the local sights and attractions. Although this may seem practical, you might want to do some shopping and comparing first before making the decision to stay at home.

Continue Reading: Is a “Staycation” Really Better?

Mexico and Caribbean Cheap Ticket Deals from American Airlines

September 1st, 2008

Traveling on a budget these days has become quite challenging considering the new surcharges imposed by airlines due to the soaring prices of fuel. For this reason, most travelers have become smarter. Not only are they choosing where to go but also when.

Continue Reading: Mexico and Caribbean Cheap Ticket Deals from American Airlines